P40M missing from Napoles-linked account

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Around P40 million has gone missing from the bank account of a company linked to alleged pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim Napoles, according to court records.

The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Wednesday ordered the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) to submit the transaction records of the bank account implicated in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam.

The bank account belonging to First Integrated Bonding and Insurance Company, which is among businesses linked to Napoles, was earlier frozen by the Court of Appeals.

The account contained almost P47 million, but it was discovered that no less than P40 million was recently withdrawn from it.

The UCPB told the court that the withdrawal happened after the freeze order lapsed.

However, bank officials failed to show the court a certification from the Anti Money Laundering Council (AMLC) that is needed before money from a frozen bank account can be moved again.

Meanwhile, the AMLC filed a second batch of forfeiture cases at the Manila RTC in connection with the pork barrel scam.

Manila RTC Judge Marino dela Cruz immediately issued a provisional asset preservation order that bars the movement of money from the bank accounts and other assets included in the AMLC petition.

The frozen accounts include those belonging to former Benguet Rep. Samuel Dangwa that has P26.77 million, two bank accounts of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile's chief of staff Atty. Gigi Reyes, and another accounts belonging to Pauline Labayen -- the top aide of Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

The new court order also covers bank accounts of First Integrated. - report from Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News